The Road Less Traveled

Teen Summer Travel Trips - Community Service and Adventure Learning

About The Road Less Traveled

The Road Less Traveled is a powerful and effective voice for change: in the world, change of heart, of perspective, of purpose. Their work introduces our travelers to some of the world’s most fascinating places, people and experiences all while educating and advocating the value of “Do No Harm” socially and environmentally.

In a true partnership with the world, they provide an extraordinary international collaborative experience and an equally cooperative endeavor for all. People engage in a service of presence and active listening in the world as they encourage involvement, and working closely with communities they forge a strong alliance driven by a deep conviction and concern for the future and welfare of others. With a well-developed body of knowledge, innovative methods and approaches to experiential education and informal cultural exchange they hope to build trust. Trust is the single most important element in effectively and compassionately serving others and the world.

Perspective can change completely when you stand in a different place. When we live and learn in other countries we are transported literally and figuratively to a new and much-altered place in life. Life moves, changes, begins, ends, challenges, questions, hurts, exhausts, inspires, connects, satisfies, and rewards. These experiences often transform our outlook on the world with a selflessness and an enhanced personal autonomy.

The Road Less Traveled makes an impact – as they encounter a range of issues – the environment, poverty, health, immigration, conflict resolution, education, and more. As they learn to speak out for justice, working alongside young and old, rich and poor, disadvantaged and weary, they contribute and learn how our actions impact on the world – and ourselves. Through fascinating conversations they erase the boundaries of comfort zones and offer a passport to new understanding. The Road Less Traveled is an extraordinary opportunity to join with others and build deep relationships through inspiring stories and meeting challenges together.

Becoming a B Corp gives us hope and empowerment using business to solve social and environmental problems and this choice will make a difference not only in our lives but in the lives of future generations. Benefit Corporation election makes our mission explicit in its legal structure institutionalizing the values, culture, processes and high standards we put in place in 1992 as founding entrepreneurs. What this means is that we can now ensure our work will continue in the spirit with which it was intended; to “do no harm” well beyond our lifetime.

The Change We Seek™

The thousands of students and others who have traveled on The Road Less Traveled® will be leading the charge into the future with the B Corp certification. Donna-Reece Stein says, “They have seen the world and the beauty of the people and the far off places. They will be the ones demanding that those they work for, and with, conduct their businesses with integrity and responsibility. This has always been our ultimate work and dream -- for Road Less Traveled® students to see and believe in themselves and their individual and collective abilities to impact and shape our world and the future of the 21st century. Our hope is that they will create a future for their children and their children's children that ensures businesses are purpose driven and conducted with thought and conscience and that B Corporation certification will be supported and embraced by all and will give people a choice in how and where they choose to spend their time and money.”

What makes us a better company?

B Impact Report

Certified since:

January 2013

Summary:

Company Score

Median Score*

Environment

Environment

The Environment section of the Assessment evaluates a company's environmental performance through its facilities; materials, resource, and energy use; and emissions. Where applicable, it also considers a company's transportation/distribution channels and environmental impact of its supply chain. This section also measures whether a company's products or services are designed to solve an environmental issue, including products that aid in the provision of renewable energy, conserve resources, reduce waste, promote land/wildlife conservation, prevent toxic/hazardous substance or pollution, or educate, measure, or consult to solve environmental problems.

10

7

Workers

Workers

The Worker section of the survey assesses the company's relationship with its workforce. This section measures how the company treats its workers through compensation, benefits, training, and ownership opportunities provided to workers. It also focuses on the overall work environment within the company through management/worker communication, job flexibility and corporate culture, and worker health and safety practices.

23

18

Customers

Customers

The Customers section of the Assessment measures the impact a company has on its customers. The section focuses on whether a company sells products or services that promote public benefit, and if those products/services are targeted towards serving underserved populations. Questions in this section will measure whether a company's product or service is designed to solve a social or environmental issue (e.g. improves health, preserves environment or creates economic opportunity to individuals or communities, promotes the arts/sciences, or increases the flow of capital to purpose-driven enterprises).

29

N/A

Community

Community

The Community section of the survey assesses a company's impact on its community. The Community section evaluates a company's supplier relations, diversity, and involvement in the local community. The section also measures the company's practices and policies around community service and charitable giving. In addition, this section includes if a company's product or service is designed to solve a social issue, including access to basic services, health, education, economic opportunity, arts, and increasing the flow of capital to purpose-driven enterprises.

42

17

Governance

Governance

The Governance section of the Assessment evaluates a company's accountability and transparency. The section focuses on the company's mission, stakeholder engagement, and overall transparency of the company's practices and policies.

Community: Gives preference to sustainable suppliers and requires specific social and environmental criteria; Visits all significant suppliers; Banks with a local independent institution; Gives 10% of profits to charity; >75% employees participate in company-organized community service days